Helston Flora Day Association has made a decision over whether to change next year's event due to the moved back holiday.

It follows the government's decision to delay the May Day bank holiday next year from Monday, May 4 to Friday, May 8, to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Victory in Europe Day, to give its full name, marks the day when fighting against Nazi Germany came to an end in Europe during the Second World War.

The Flora Day Association said at the time of the announcement that it took the health and safety of visitors "very seriously" and it would meet to consider how to plan next year's event.

An extraordinary meeting of the stewards has now taken place, at which it was decided to keep the date of Flora 2020 unchanged.

The association has spoken with other town organisations such as Helston Town Council and Helston Town Band, as well as the local authorities, including Cornwall Council, Devon & Cornwall Police, the fire service, the Royal British Legion and RNAS Culdrose.

All have confirmed that there are currently no local events planned for May 8 2020, and while there are a few national events planned that would be an option for Helston to observe, no decision has been made at this time.

A steward spokesperson said: "The stewards' decision is that Flora Day should proceed as planned in its usual format, in keeping with our ancient tradition.

"We also feel that as VE Day falls on May 8 each year, and Flora Day is a celebration of the welcoming of spring and renewed life, the sacrifice that those brave Helstonians made which enables us to carry on celebrating each year is testament enough.

"There is no more fitting tribute to the fallen heroes of the Great Wars - and in this case, the 75th anniversary of VE Day - than Flora Day upholding its traditions in an ever-changing world."

It is only the time second ever that the May Day bank holiday has been moved, after it was changed from May 1 to the following Monday, May 8, in 1995, to mark the 50th anniversary of VE Day.

However, in that year it would have had little bearing to Flora Day as it still fell on a Monday – when by tradition Flora Day is never held, due to it historically being the town’s market day. As a result, on that occasion the event would have been held on the preceding Saturday anyway.

Announcing next year’s date change, business secretary Greg Clark said: "It will ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to remember and honour our heroes of the Second World War and reflect on the sacrifices of a generation."